Roll Call Tribute

Published in The Washington (DC) Post on June 27, 2018

THOMAS OTTO



Colonel THOMAS OTTO

On July 22, 2017, A proud Signal soldier and cadet of Co E, VTCC, Colonel Otto was a graduate in Electrical Engineering of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Texas A & M University; the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.
Colonel Otto's stateside assignments included Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and Washington, DC.
His overseas assignments included the 8th Infantry Division, Korea; the 5/30th Field Artillery SETAF, Italy; the 101st Airborne Division, Viet Nam; Director of Operations, Defense Communications Agency, Germany and the US Delegation to NATO, Brussels, Belgium.
Following retirement from the US Army in 1992, Colonel Otto worked at HAI and at CSC as Director of the Government Emergency Telecommunications Service.
He was active in the Ft. Myer Catholic Community as an usher and on the Finance Committee.
He loved his country and his family, was devoted to his profession, and enjoyed very much his work as a volunteer tax preparer at Fort Belvoir, VA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 2, 2018 at The Old Post Chapel, Ft. Myer, VA followed by interment with Full Honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Visit www.fmfh.com for additional information.

Ut prosim
That we may serve
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Published in The Washington (DC) Post on Aug. 13, 2017

THOMAS OTTO Jr.
OTTO Colonel THOMAS W. OTTO, JR. Signal Corps US Army (Retired) Died suddenly Saturday July 22, 2017. Colonel Otto is survived by his wife, Janet; his son, John (Michelle Washburn Otto); his daughter, Julianne; his granddaughters, Emily and Elizabeth Otto; his brother Steven Otto (Karen McCain) of Bedford,Texas; his sisters- and brothers-in-law, Candyce Byrne and Dr. Thomas Sears of Austin, Texas; and Robin and Michael Byrne of Hermosa Beach, California. He was predeceased by his parents, Colonel and Mrs. Thomas W. Otto, Sr. USA RET (Mary Virginia McCarthy) and parents-in-law, Colonel and Mrs. John D. Byrne USA RET (Lieutenant Alice vB.Nielsen ANC). A proud Signal soldier, Colonel Otto was a graduate in Electrical Engineering of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Texas A & M University, the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Colonel Otto's stateside assignments included Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and Washington, DC. His overseas assignments included the 8th Infantry Division, Korea;the 5/30th Artillery SETAF, Italy; the 101st Airborne Division, Viet Nam; Director of Operations, Defense Communications Agency, Patch Barracks, Germany and the US Delegation to NATO, Brussels, Belgium. His final Army assignment was as Director of Readiness, CECOM, Fort Monmouth New Jersey. Following retirement from the US Army in 1992, Colonel Otto worked for GTE, Dyncorp International and, ultimately, CSC as Director of the Government Emergency Telecommunications Service. He was active in the Fort Myer Catholic Community as an usher and on the Finance Committee. He loved his country and his family, was devoted to his profession, and enjoyed very much his work as a volunteer tax preparer at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Ut prosim! Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Fort Myer Catholic Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery, at a later date. Burial will immediately follow Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the American Heart Association in Colonel Otto's name. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the American Heart Association in Colonel Otto's name.